| Updated: October 31, 2025The Netherlands has a flourishing economy that is heavily dependent on foreign trade. Although it might be an exaggeration to say that the Dutch are passionate about gambling, they do enjoy wagering on football, ice hockey, korfball, field hockey, and motorsports. A report by Alternar shows that the Dutch sports betting market grew from $26.1 billion in 2019 to $36.4 billion in 2021. Interestingly, the world’s oldest lottery still in operation is the Dutch National Lottery.
For decades, the Dutch government refused to regulate the online gambling industry. The authorities put considerable effort into blocking even reputable operators. However, in 2021, the legal landscape in the Netherlands changed dramatically when the Remote Gambling Act came into force. At the time of writing, offshore operators may target Dutch bettors, provided they obtain a license from the Dutch Gaming Authority, also known as Kansspelautoriteit (KSA).
Best Sports Betting Sites in the Netherlands
Operators must meet numerous requirements to obtain a Dutch license. This explains why only a handful of betting sites are licensed. Our dedicated team has compiled a list of the most reliable sportsbooks that accept bettors from the Netherlands.
Best Sports Betting Bonuses in the Netherlands
The Dutch sports betting market is lucrative, and competition among operators is fierce. To stand out, sportsbooks offer a variety of bonuses, but not all of them are created equal. Some betting sites promote generous offers, yet attach steep wagering requirements. For this reason, punters should always read the bonus terms and conditions before claiming any promotion. It is also important to note that, in December 2022, the KSA announced that licensed operators are no longer allowed to offer cashback bonuses.
Match Deposit Bonuses Free Bets Boosted OddsMatch Deposit Bonuses
Match deposit bonuses are popular among sports fans in the Netherlands. Most online sportsbooks offer them to attract new players and reward loyal bettors. When you claim such a bonus, the operator matches your deposit by a certain percentage up to a predefined amount. For example, if a sportsbook offers a 100% match bonus up to €100 and you deposit €50, you will receive €50 in bonus funds.
You cannot cash out the bonus funds immediately. Punters must meet the turnover requirements and comply with the minimum odds restrictions before they can withdraw any profits. Keep in mind that you need to make a qualifying deposit to claim a match deposit bonus.
Free Bets
Another promotion available to Dutch punters is the free bet. In short, free bet credits let you place a wager without risking your own money. If the bet wins, you collect the profit. Remember that only the winnings from the free bet will be credited to your balance. If the bet loses, your bankroll remains untouched. To qualify for a free bet, you may need to place a wager on a specific sport or market.
Boosted Odds
Dutch-friendly gambling sites also offer enhanced odds on select bets. This allows you to earn a larger profit for the same level of risk. Sportsbooks typically display the original odds alongside the boosted ones, making it easy for punters to see the increase. Some licensed betting sites provide enhanced odds daily.
Betting Regulation in the Netherlands
The Dutch public undoubtedly enjoys betting on sports. Figures from Statista show that sports betting contributed the most to the value of the Dutch iGaming market in 2018. The Betting and Gaming Act of 1964 (Wet op de Kansspelen 1964, commonly known as the Wok) was the first piece of gambling legislation. It stipulates that land-based gambling and sports betting are legal when provided by licensed operators.
However, under the Act only one license could be granted. In other words, the legislation established a state monopoly, and the only company authorized to offer sports betting services to Dutch punters was Nederlandse Loterij. At the time of writing, this company operates every betting shop in the Netherlands, as well as the Toto Sportweddenschappen betting site.
Online and land-based lotteries remain under the monopoly of Nederlandse Loterij, while Holland Casino holds the exclusive rights to land-based casino gambling. However, the Betting and
Gaming Act of 1964 did not address remote gambling, which left online gaming unregulated. According to the Dutch government, though, online gambling is illegal, and operators that violate the law will be prosecuted and fined.
The Netherlands Liberalizes Its Online Sports Betting Market Responsible Gambling in the NetherlandsThe Netherlands Liberalizes Its Online Sports Betting Market
Because the Netherlands is a member of the European Union, it must comply with the EU’s free-trade laws. The national gambling monopoly conflicted with these laws, so the Netherlands could not block unlicensed online casinos and sportsbooks, as it offered no legitimate pathway for operators to obtain a license.
In 2012, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) was created as the new gambling regulator, replacing the Netherlands Gaming Control Board founded in 1996. Its arrival rekindled discussions about liberalizing the Dutch gambling and sports betting market. In 2014, the Dutch government formally introduced plans to open the online sector.
Nevertheless, the market remained in limbo until 2019, when the Dutch Senate passed the Remote Gambling Act, opening the industry to foreign operators. The law took effect on 1st April 2021, setting strict regulatory requirements for companies seeking a Dutch license. By September 2021, ten operators had secured approval.
The Dutch government had two primary reasons for dismantling the monopoly and liberalizing the market. First, it could not stop Dutch players and bettors from accessing foreign sites. Second, legalizing online gambling allows the state to protect Dutch players and punters from rogue operators.
Responsible Gambling in the Netherlands
The minimum age requirement to wager on sports is 18 years old. Individuals under this age may not participate in any gambling or sports betting activities. Under the Remote Gambling Act, licensed operators must implement a prevention policy developed in collaboration with gambling addiction experts. Licensees are also required to provide information about the risks of gambling.
In addition, mandatory deposit and session-time limits must be in place. Players can lower their limits instantly, but raising them takes one week. The exact maximum deposit limit is still to be determined. Bettors and casino enthusiasts must also be able to exclude themselves temporarily or permanently through the central exclusion database known as “CRUKS”.
KSA-licensed online sportsbooks are no longer permitted to offer cashback bonuses. The regulator believes that allowing players to recoup a portion of their losses encourages them to wager more money.
Unlicensed operators with an annual turnover from Dutch punters exceeding €15 million face a hefty fine equal to 4% of that turnover, with a minimum of €600,000. The country is also rolling out strict restrictions on gambling advertising. In 2023, a ban on untargeted ads took effect. Beginning in 2024, online gambling sponsorship of sports programs and events will be prohibited, and, in 2025, a ban on sponsoring sports facilities and team shirts will follow.